Current Affairs The Labour Party

[Aberblue]

Weren't Labour up in the polls before the last GE too?

No, they weren't.

 

[Tree13]

No, they weren't.

Am I mis-remembering the stunned expressions on the faces of the BBC presenters as they reported on the exit polls at the last GE? Wasn't there a widespread expectation of a Labour win?

Anyway, whilst I appreciate a good side-tracking as much as the next guy, my question was about the Corbynites still occupying posts in the shadow cabinet - why are they still there? Why can't Labour bring forward any new, moderate types to attract centre-ground voters and right-of-centre small "c" conservatives?

 

[JimmyJeffers]

Am I mis-remembering the stunned expressions on the faces of the BBC presenters as they reported on the exit polls at the last GE? Wasn't there a widespread expectation of a Labour win?

Anyway, whilst I appreciate a good side-tracking as much as the next guy, my question was about the Corbynites still occupying posts in the shadow cabinet - why are they still there? Why can't Labour bring forward any new, moderate types to attract centre-ground voters and right-of-centre small "c" conservatives?

I think Labour could have Thatcher in charge but anyone still voting conservative after the shitshow we’ve witnessed (and will have to watch the sequel) are hardly going to change their mind.

 

[woomy]

You are a bit behind the curve my friend. He was totally cleared of any wrongdoing and wasn’t charged.

It’s a funny one with Starmer. I’m not a fan, far from it. But a lot of the abuse and complaints about him seem to be very petty to me.

We’ve had the Tory rags trying to belittle him, the lies about him as head of the CPS and Saville, the boring tag, “captain obvious” etc, but what has he actually done wrong? The answer is nothing.

But Labour to me have not really attacked the Tory party as much as they should have done. Yes they’ve pulled Johnson several times in PM’s QT, but he was such an easy target and was always going to screw up, because that’s what he does.

Labour could easily win the next election if they focus on how the Tory party have run the country into the ground. The austerity lies, the covid corruption, the cost of living, the energy crisis, but they really need to up their game and quickly.

For me with Starmer. He is what a Prime minister should be.
But, he isn't the Prime minister.
I am hoping he is letting the Tories completely mess up some more, and then, some point next year, start the attack.
I don't actually think he wants an election just yet. I mean why would you? The country is a mess. Let the strikes play out, the energy crisis start coming to an end, then go for it.
If he forced something now. He literally walks head first into a proxy general strike. Nobody in government is going to look good once the nurses start striking. You don't want to be in government when that starts.
I would prefer he takes his time. Let all this play out, and get policies in place, then attack.

Saying all that. Burnham or Raynor win the next election with ease. Starmer I think wins, but not by as much.

 

[Thomasc]

For me with Starmer. He is what a Prime minister should be.
But, he isn't the Prime minister.
I am hoping he is letting the Tories completely mess up some more, and then, some point next year, start the attack.
I don't actually think he wants an election just yet. I mean why would you? The country is a mess. Let the strikes play out, the energy crisis start coming to an end, then go for it.
If he forced something now. He literally walks head first into a proxy general strike. Nobody in government is going to look good once the nurses start striking. You don't want to be in government when that starts.
I would prefer he takes his time. Let all this play out, and get policies in place, then attack.

Saying all that. Burnham or Raynor win the next election with ease. Starmer I think wins, but not by as much.

Burnham wins it doing handstands.

 

[Blue 1]

Am I mis-remembering the stunned expressions on the faces of the BBC presenters as they reported on the exit polls at the last GE? Wasn't there a widespread expectation of a Labour win?

Anyway, whilst I appreciate a good side-tracking as much as the next guy, my question was about the Corbynites still occupying posts in the shadow cabinet - why are they still there? Why can't Labour bring forward any new, moderate types to attract centre-ground voters and right-of-centre small "c" conservatives?

Yes, you are. Not many thought there was any realistic possibility of a Labour win.
The extent of the Tory victory came as a bit of a surprise though.
There are plenty of people from the right of the party in the shadow cabinet. The shadow chancellor is practically a Tory.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Burnham wins it doing handstands.

I'd go for Chris Bryant personally, but I think it's easy to confuse dullness with incompetence. For those of us invested in politics it can quickly take on a sort of tribal soap opera where entertainment is a major factor. I'm quite happy for our leaders to be boring and competent rather than entertaining.

 

[Noisy noise annoys]

Burnham wins it doing handstands.

Is he interested? Why isn’t he being talked about more? Can one simply leave the job as mayor and become an mp and put their names forward for the top job in the party?
I genuinely don’t know, but am surprised how little attempts there seems to be by anyone to get him in there somewhere

 

[Moomin]

I'd go for Chris Bryant personally, but I think it's easy to confuse dullness with incompetence. For those of us invested in politics it can quickly take on a sort of tribal soap opera where entertainment is a major factor. I'm quite happy for our leaders to be boring and competent rather than entertaining.

I like Chris but the press would crucify him if he was made leader.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I like Chris but the press would crucify him if he was made leader.

Indeed. He's incredibly outspoken. The role of prime minister is to both govern well and also to remember that they're governing for the whole country, not just their hardcore base.

 

[Thomasc]

Is he interested? Why isn’t he being talked about more? Can one simply leave the job as mayor and become an mp and put their names forward for the top job in the party?
I genuinely don’t know, but am surprised how little attempts there seems to be by anyone to get him in there somewhere

He recently did an interview in which he said he would consider a third attempt at the job.

 

[Thomasc]

I like Chris but the press would crucify him if he was made leader.

They would anybody from the left or left of centre.

Within a month, they will have labelled Burnham a flat cap, whippet breeding Northener…..Andy Capp if you will!

 

[Noisy noise annoys]

He recently did an interview in which he said he would consider a third attempt at the job.

Third time lucky?

 

[Tree13]

For me with Starmer. He is what a Prime minister should be.
But, he isn't the Prime minister.
I am hoping he is letting the Tories completely mess up some more, and then, some point next year, start the attack.
I don't actually think he wants an election just yet. I mean why would you? The country is a mess. Let the strikes play out, the energy crisis start coming to an end, then go for it.
If he forced something now. He literally walks head first into a proxy general strike. Nobody in government is going to look good once the nurses start striking. You don't want to be in government when that starts.
I would prefer he takes his time. Let all this play out, and get policies in place, then attack.

Saying all that. Burnham or Raynor win the next election with ease. Starmer I think wins, but not by as much.

Agree with plenty of this... But Rayner? No way.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Agree with plenty of this... But Rayner? No way.

Every side needs its attack dog, someone has to carry the fight when the going gets tough, from alastair campbell to whatever 9 bob note johnson had staffed...
I also see Starmers blandness as a virtue for the job. I want a pro for the day to day mundanity and an eye for detail before some flummoxed over hyped personality thats all bluff and bluster. The best person for the job, not the most likeable. (and no, I certainly do not like johnson or any of his cabal)